Closer Look: HP's EcoPOD Modular Data Center

The EcoPOD supports extraordinary server desnity, with room for up to 44 industry standard racks of IT equipment and more than 4,400 servers in 900 square feet of space.

Last week HP unveiled the EcoPOD, an updated version of its modular Performance Optimized Datacenter that expands its capacity with a “double-wide” design that joins two 40-foot containers. These photos from HP provide a closer look at the 900-square foot enclosure, which HP says can operate with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.05 to 1.30. The EcoPOD features a cooling system that can automatically adjust its operations based IT load and climate. Depending on environmental conditions and IT load, the cooling system automatically adjusts to use ambient air where possible, switching to direct expansion cooling mode when it is too warm to use outside air.

Here are several additional views of the EcoPOD. For more details, see our initial coverage of the HP EcoPOD announcement.

The new modular offering features a server room on its lower level, with cooling equipment sitting atop the modular. Air can enter the unit through either side of the cooling unit, which also features Direct Expansion (DX) cooling. The system automatically adjusts to use ambient air where possible, switching to direct expansion cooling mode when it is too warm to use outside air.

The design of the EcoPOD features two cold aisles (one on each side) separated by a shared eight-foot hot aisle that provides access for servicing IT gear. Cool air enters the EcoPOD through the cooling units atop the structure, and then drops into the cold aisle